cliff within the next six days. it's a matter that's been made all the more difficult with news today that speaker boehner's house will not be back to work on thursday. we've got kristen welker joining us from beautiful honolulu. that's a lovely spot there. >> it is. hey, karen. >> hey. wel get to the fiscal cliff in just a moment. we understand that you've just gotten word that the president is actually getting updates on the condition of former president rw bush. what can you tell us about that sfl. >> that's right. according to a senior official, president obama has been kept up to date on the condition of former president bush. he is recovering. he spent christmas in the hospital. doctors kept him there after concern that his fever was increasing. now, the senior administration officials won't confirm who's updating president obama. karen, it's not unusual for a sitting president to be kept in the loop when this type of situation arouss. when a former president is ill. so we are being told he has been kept in th